BGEA

Friday, November 21, 2014

Daniel 11:36-12:1-13

Last year my father went home to be with the LORD after suffering with stage 4 lung cancer. Our mother’s precious heirlooms were divided between the sisters. My favorite is her china cabinet, because it held many cherished items Mom displayed in her living room. Rather than hide precious items in a safety deposit box, they are displayed for the enjoyment of other family and friends.
Verse 4 of chapter 12 Daniel is told to, “shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.”  It did not mean to hide the prophecies but to treasure and protect it for future generations. As time draws nearer the words of prophesy of Daniel and Revelation will our understanding will increase. PRAYER
Daniel 11:36-12:13
·         Evil king
·         Deliverance will come
o   Ministering angels
o   Double Resurrection
·         Sealing the prophesy
o   Unanswered questions
o   Daniel will stand
God is omnipotent and omniscient
Who is the Evil king?
11:36 “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things (blasphemy) against the God of gods; 
Zeus was instituted in the temple. On December 25, 167 B.C., a pig was sacrificed on the Zeus altar; this was the “abomination that causes desolation” in Daniel 9:27, 11:31 and 12:11
By placing a break in the verses of chapter eleven we can guess our writer thinks the evil king is not Antiochus. Antiochus IV Epiphanes was a Greek tyrant of the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century B.C. He was a vicious enemy of the Jewish people, outlawing Judaism and desecrating the sacred temple.
The description in these verses could refer to a future antichrist.
Strong fortresses may refer to military might and material wealth. There is no shortage of speculation, and we can’t be sure. God is omnipotent and omniscient, and that’s all that matters. Meanwhile, this king is not idle: 45And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. His victories over the “rebels” will bring him greater power and wealth, but Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him.

Regardless of how successful this false king might appear to be, no one is more powerful than God. TH

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
 God is omnipotent and omniscient
Deliverance will come Chapter 12
o   Ministering angels
How many of you ladies have felt the touch of a ministering angel? Dozens of books fill the shelves of rescues or encounter? There are nurses we have met that go beyond their duties to make their patients secure and ease their pain. True story of one such nurse at a local hospital aided victims of a head-on car wreck. The serious injuries of husband meant the aged couple would immediately be separated. Determined that the elderly women would have a chance to see her critically injured spouse before he was airlifted, this angelic nurse wheeled the gurney into the wife's area of the ER. The couple was able to say goodbye and hold hands to pray before the helicopter took him to a better equipped hospital. Later intending to thank the nurse for her kindness, they realized the grandparents did not know her name. Luckily the grandson had seen her name tag. Her name was Angel.
Daniel 12:1"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
God is omnipotent and omniscient
It was so amazing to see how God loved and honored Daniel. He was blessed with the unprecedented opportunity not only to see and talk to Gabriel God’s heavenly messenger to (Zachariah the father of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary) but also several appearances of the Archangel Michael. Ladies there is no recording of any other prophet or priest in the Bible receiving visits from both these angels by name.
There are 283 references to unnamed angels in the Bible. The appearance of spiritual beings in the Old Testament illustrates how Our Father God revealed Himself to humanity. Throughout the Old Testament we previously read and studied physical appearances of God called a Theophany and the appearance of pre-incarnate Christ, a Christophany. Some indications of deciding the visitors:  Angels will refuse to be worshipped, deferring to the Father. Angels are messengers and have limited power. The God of the universe does not battle his creation, Satan or his demons. The Archangel Michael is the warrior and counterpart of Satan.
Double Resurrection
2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
1 Thessalonians 4:14,16For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep…..16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
All men will appear before the Great White Throne, the Bema, and be judged by God: Two destinations-heaven or hell. The only way to heaven is through belief in Jesus as Christ, Son of God. We did not choose who our parents were or the country to where we born. But you can choose where you spend eternity. Choose Christ; choose heaven.
Paul testifying about his teaching Acts 24:15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
Everlasting contempt: The terror of hell never ends. There is no annihilation after some period of punishment. God is omnipotent and omniscient
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels8in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
But those of us that shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever will be awed by the indescribable beauty of heaven. Could it be any less perfect than the Garden of Eden? Sneak a peek at the last 2 chapters of Revelation.
Daniel 12:3And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Ladies are you reflecting the light of the LORD.  Have you been through fiery trials? Thank God for the trials that makes you stronger and brings you forth as pure gold.
Daniel 12:10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.
Sealing the prophesy  9He said, "Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
o   Unanswered questions
o   Daniel will stand
Daniels vision in verses 5-12 includes several spiritual beings. Agreement between my favorite authors believes the two Archangels are located on opposite shores of the waters and the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream;”
believed to be The LORD of Heaven and Earth. Who else could answer these questions? For Jesus himself says in Matthew 24:36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
6 "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"
The cryptic message in verse 7: a time, times, and half a time, refer to a 3 ½ year span during the Tribulation.
The latter part of that verse, “when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished,” is an unknown event. Antiochus does not fit the timeline. What could be more shattering to Israel that the holocaust? Only the LORD knows.
God is omnipotent and omniscient
8 "O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?"
The numbers in the last few verses have stumped students of biblical prophesies. So if David Jeremiah, author of the Handwriting on the Wall, does not hazard a guess, neither will I. God will reveal these answers when He sees fit. Daniel did not understand and neither do we!
11And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.12Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. It all depends on when you start counting the abomination.
But God promised His faithful servant Daniel to continue to serve and your will be rewarded at the end of the days. Daniel was in his nineties. He came to Babylon when he was a teenagers and the seventy years of Jeremiah’s prophesy have been fulfilled with many of his people returning home to Jerusalem.
13But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days." Keep doing what you are doing!
What a declaration! Sisters where will your allotted place be? Jesus has gone to prepared a place for you. Have you trusted Him as your LORD and Savior? Don’t leave tonight without the assurance of your destination?
Don’t we long to hear; Matthew 25:21 ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant. …Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’
As we finish the study of the man Daniel we need to remember how special his life was. The magnificent things he was allowed to see and hear is unparalleled. The great influence he had over many different kings, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, Cyrus. Ladies who can you influence for the Kingdom.
Daniel 10:19 And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage."
During morning devotion in Matthew 3:17 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
I found a new perspective in this verse when I realized that Jesus had not yet gone to the cross, performed miracles, or led the masses. God loved His Son and was pleased with Him not based on how He was performing but simply because Jesus is His Son.
Sisters in Christ we are daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He loves us just as we are. We do not have to earn his love by performing. Just trust in Him and rely fully on his power and strength.

Will you choose to believe that Our God is omnipotent and omniscient
?
Join me in praise.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Beth Moore on Daniel 11:5-32

Daniel 11:5
Seleucus I Nicator (312-281 B.C.)
not referenced
Antiochus I Soter (281-262 B.C.)
Daniel 11:6
Antiochus II Theos (262-246 B.C.)
Daniel 11:7-9
Seleucus II Callinicus (246-227 B.C.)
Daniel 11:10
Seleucus III Soter (227-223 B.C.)
Daniel 11:10-11,13,15-19
Antiochus III the Great (223-187 B.C.)
Daniel 11:20
Seleucus IV Philopater (187-176 B.C.)
Daniel 11:21-32
Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 B.C.) 

Friday, November 7, 2014

Daniel's Prayer Chapter 9-Lesson 10



Remember that Daniel didn’t write a chronological account. The events recorded in Daniel 9 took place at about the same time as the Lion’s Den in chapter 6, and at least 12 years after he received his second vision of the Ram and the Goat in chapter 8.
The first portion of this chapter is important because it shows the importance of prayer in the fulfillment of prophecy. The second portion is controversial because it’s a point of sharp division among Christians—a division addressed briefly in your commentary.
But, despite the difference of opinion on prophecy timetables, one thing all Christians can agree on is that God responds to humble confessions.

Daniel’s Prayer Chapter 9   Lesson 10
• A prayer to fulfill a prophecy (9:1-19)
• A prophecy to fulfill a prayer (9:20-27)
God Hears the Prayers of the Humble
Pray
The first novel I read by Randy Alcorn was Safely Home. It is very realistic and probably describes the true situation in foreign countries involved in religious persecution. Randy Alcorn has long been a favorite Christian author; using his DVD and resources on Heaven, elderly clients at Abingdon Place were given a glimpse of what heaven was like. Randy has spiritual gift from God for interpreting scriptures and he is an excellent source for information on heaven and prayer. Just recently before finding these lessons on Prayer from Daniel 9-10, I have been reading Seeing the Unseen, a daily dose of Eternal Perspective.
This is unprecedented for me to rely so heavily on one resource for teaching time, but as I gathered scripture on prayer and prepared for this week I could not neglect Randy Alcorn’s verse by verse treatment of Daniel 9 and 10. These 14 lessons of Randy’s are listed on my blog spot and a link to his Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). Julia who works for Randy messaged to say they are “so glad you're able to use his material and appreciate the citation and link. Feel free to use any and all of his articles.”
Ladies if you will open your Bible to Daniel 9 and follow along with me.
1.     Position yourself for prayer by reading Scripture first. v.2
“I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet,”  Daniel was reading the book of Jeremiah before he prayed.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Such an irony, CBS tell you to pray before you read and answer your questions and Randy suggests we read before praying. We need to know God’s divine will through His Word and to understand God’s perspective on our circumstances before we can know how to pray.
2. Follow Scripture’s lead toward what you should pray for. V.3
 “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition…” (v. 3) Daniel knew who had the answers to Israel’s dilemma. From reading scripture from Jeremiah he knew the time of captivity was nearly over.
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
James  4:3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
3. Pray humbly, recognizing your utter unworthiness before an all-holy God.
“…prayer and petition in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” (v. 3)
Daniel humbled himself before God with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. King David and King Hezekiah tore their clothes and covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes to petition the Lord. From the book of Esther, when Mordecai learned of the Haman plots against the Jews, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes outside the gates of the city.(for no one was allowed to enter the king's gate clothed in sackcloth.) After Jonah marched through the city of Nineveh calling, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” The king and the people of Nineveh believed and called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. In this way a pagan nation moved the heart of God and they were saved.
God Hears the Prayers of the Humble
4. Begin by praising God for His attributes, His greatness and faithfulness. Let God’s character provide the context for prayer, so He’s the center of gravity, not you.
“I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands…’“ (v. 4)
Psalm 115:3 “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”
Start with the alphabet and name an attribute of God in your prayers of praise. http://www.navigators.org/www_navigators_org/media/navigators/tools/Resources/Praying-the-Names-of-God-The-Navigators.pdf Here is a monthly calendar to help you pray.
5. Confess your sins, taking full responsibility, without rationalization, spin or self-exemption.
“We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have
turned away from your commands and laws.” (v. 5-6)
God knows our hearts; we cannot hide anything from Him. Why is this left out of our corporate prayers? We need to pray with a clean, repentant heart to approach the throne of God.
Psalm 51 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
6. Permeate prayer with affirmations of God’s amazing grace and your profound gratitude.
“Lord, you are righteous….The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled; we have not obeyed…All Israel has transgressed your Law and turned away, refusing to obey you.” (v. 7-11a)
2 Corinthians 4:15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Philippians 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
God Hears the Prayers of the Humble
7. Before bringing your requests, repeatedly affirm God’s worthiness and your unworthiness—never forget who you are, and Who you’re talking to. (v. 11b-12a)
“, because we have sinned against you …just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us.”
Job 1:21 “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Psalm 18:3 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised
Psalm 103:10  He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
Matthew 8:8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed.
8. Never blame God for sin, its consequences or for life’s hardships.
“we have not sought the favor of the LORD by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD the LORD is righteous in everything; yet we have not obeyed him.” (v. 12b-14) 
Job 40:2“Shall a fault finder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalms 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear [me]:
2 Peter 2:4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
SLIDE 12    9. Make requests in light of God’s past acts of faithfulness. “Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned and done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem…” (v. 15-16)
Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
Psalm 145:17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Think back to all the times when God has provided for you when times were lean. How many times have you been saved from a near miss in traffic? Through it all God is faithful to heal broken hearts and broken dreams.
10. Pray for God’s sake, His glory, and His reputation, reminding yourself it’s all about Him, not you. (v. 17-19)
“Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”
God is creator of the universe. We should choose to honor and glorify him in all we do.
Deuteronomy 5:24"You said, 'Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire;
Psalms 24:7-8 Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
Matthew 6:13 For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
11. Pray with a heartfelt recognition of God’s undeserved grace on behalf of you and others. “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” (v.18)
Psalm 8: When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars which Thou hast ordained, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, and the son of man that Thou dost visit him?For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.
Psalm 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 10:17 O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
12. God hears our prayers and starts responding to them (when we pray with Daniel’s attitude and perspective) before we can see results, and even when we can’t see results at all.
“While I was still in prayer Gabriel the man came to me in swift flight. “I have come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given…which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” (v. 21-23)
Isaiah 65:24 "And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." 
Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
13. God deploys angels on missions in response to humble, biblically-based, God-centered prayers.
“I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks…I looked and there was a man…”I have been sent to you”…Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.’“ (10:12)
Psalm 31:7   I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,
Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
14. Prayer mobilizes righteous angels, who engage in intense turf warfare against fallen angels, with kingdom claims at stake. Answers to prayer may be hastened or delayed as a result of this warfare.
1 Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.
Psalm 104:4 Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.
Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses,
Revelation 12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
Sisters these last verses of this chapter are so complex in terms of numbers and dates that a timeline may help our understanding.
Ladies if you will open your Bible to Daniel 9:24-27, you can follow along as we go through the scripture.
Imagine the archangel Gabriel coming to tell you:  “At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.”  That might soften the telling of the Seventy Weeks.
There are charts and books and commentaries and they just made my head hurt. I gleaned some information I hope will simplify this for you. Any students of Daniel or Revelation feel free to send me any resources or note. But I will present the Futurist View taught by Beth Moore and others.
24"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
25Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks.
Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time.
 26And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one (Jesus the Messiah) shall be cut off and shall have nothing. (on earth CRUCIFIXTION)
Four different scriptures and three different rulers could fit this prophesy but the last one is the
         Cyrus 538 B.C. (Ezra in 1:1-4 and 5:13-17)
         Darius 517 B.C. (Ezra 6:6-12)
         Artaxerxes 458 B.C. (Ezra 7:11-26)
         Artaxerxes 445B.C. (Nehemiah 2:1-8) 
From your commentary: Then Gabriel says, “… after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing.” This is the big point of contention between “futurists,” “preterists,” and “historicists.” Futurists believe a time gap is implied between this 69th week when the Anointed One (Jesus) was “cut off” and the 70th week, and that we’re in that gap; we know it as “the church age.” The 70th week will begin when the church age ends (with the Rapture). Although the word rapture is not in the KJV, scripture says we will be caught up. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

26 And the people of the prince who is to come (ANTICHRIST)shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed.
27And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week (3 ½ YEARS) he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator."
Humility recognizes that God is the source of all power and all authority and that as we come before Him, in holy fear of the Lord, then we are putting ourselves in the place where our ears can be open to hear His voice in response to our prayers and intercessions.
God responds to our humble confessions. He responds in grace; He gives second chances. He heals relationships. He mends hearts.
Closing Sentence: Will you choose to humbly confess your sins to Him—and repent of those sins?
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the example of Daniel and for his humble submission to your authority. Help me, Lord, to walk in a similar way in my own life, recognizing that pride is a barrier to effective prayer and that humility opens the doors of the heavens to those who know and love the Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Randy Alcorn's Fourteen Lessons on Prayer from Daniel 9-10

 1. Position yourself for prayer by reading Scripture first.
“In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years” (v. 2).
2. Follow Scripture’s lead toward what you should pray for. (If prayer’s the train, make Scripture the rails.)
“So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition…” (v. 3)
3. Pray humbly, recognizing your utter unworthiness before an all-holy God.
“…prayer and petition in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.” (v. 3)
4. Begin by praising God for His attributes, His greatness and faithfulness. Let God’s character provide the context for prayer, so He’s the center of gravity, not you.
“I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands…’“ (v. 4)
5. Confess your sins, taking full responsibility, without rationalization, spin or self-exemption.
“We have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.” (v. 5-6)
6. Permeate prayer with affirmations of God’s amazing grace and your profound gratitude—never asking for what you deserve, but thanking Him that He’s given you infinitely better than you deserve.
“Lord, you are righteous but we are covered with shame…you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you…we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled; we have not obeyed…All Israel has transgressed your Law and turned away, refusing to obey you.” (v. 7-11a)
7. Before bringing your requests, repeatedly affirm God’s worthiness and your unworthiness—never forget who you are, and Who you’re talking to.
“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the law of Moses…have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you! You have fulfilled the words spoken…by bringing upon us great disaster…just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us.” (v. 11b-12a)
8. Never blame God for sin, its consequences or for life’s hardships.
“Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. The LORD did not hesitate to bring the disaster upon us, for the LORD is righteous in everything; yet we have not obeyed him.” (v. 12b-14) 
9. Make requests in light of God’s past acts of faithfulness. Rehearse those acts to God, as demonstrated in Scripture, history, and your own personal and family life.
“Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned and done wrong. O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem…” (v. 15-16)
10. Pray for God’s sake, His glory, and His reputation, reminding yourself it’s all about Him, not you.
“Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us. Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. …O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.” (v. 17-19)
11. Pray with a heartfelt recognition of God’s undeserved grace on behalf of you and others.
“We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” (v.18)
12. God hears our prayers and starts responding to them (when we pray with Daniel’s attitude and perspective) before we can see results, and even when we can’t see results at all.
“While I was still in prayer Gabriel the man came to me in swift flight. “I have come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given…which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed.” (v. 21-23)
13. God deploys angels on missions in response to humble, biblically-based, God-centered prayers.
“I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks…I looked and there was a man…”I have been sent to you”…Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.’“ (10:12)
14. Prayer mobilizes righteous angels, who engage in intense turf warfare against fallen angels, with kingdom claims at stake. Answers to prayer may be hastened or delayed as a result of this warfare.
“But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. Now I have come [in response to prayer, having been immediately dispatched, but delayed three weeks in warfare]…Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the King of Persia…Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come…No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince…” (10:13-14, 20-21)


Saturday, November 1, 2014

Daniel 7-8 Lesson 9

WELCOME Ladies my head has been spinning reading about all these Kingdoms. I will attempt to give you nuggets gathered from a great many sources.


Daniel 7 The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men
·                  Kingdoms of Man- Four Beasts
·                  ANCIENT OF DAYS-God the Father
·                  SON OF MAN-Jesus Christ

Daniel had four major prophetic dreams that took place over twenty two years. You will recall the statue from Nebuchadnezzar dream in chapter 2 was interpreted by Daniel. However Daniel’s dreams in chapter 7 and 8 were interpreted by angels.
Chronologically, this dream and the visions occur between chapters four and five. Daniel was about seventy years old and apparently was no longer an active official of Belshazzar’s court.

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream shows history from a pagan kings viewpoint in statue of gold, silver, bronze, iron and clay. Men see the kingdoms of the world as the great accomplishment of humanity and power is symbolized by the image. On the other hand, God shows Daniel how He sees kingdoms by the moral character of the rulers. The kingdoms of the world are as wild and brutal beasts which crush and devour humanity.

v.17 Each of the four beasts appears in sequence and represents the kingdoms that correspond to the four parts of that Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. While deterioration in the quality of the kingdoms is depicted in the metals of the image, there is a heightened degree of brutality and corruption depicted in each successive beast.
We can understand the first three beasts with help of our commentary. Out of the sea, there arose three great beasts, followed by the fourth monstrous beast. The book of Revelation sees the beast (the Antichrist) coming out of the sea—that part of the world, which surrounds the Mediterranean Sea. There has been much speculation about the beast. John’s reference to many antichrists meant that many would and have come who powerfully opposed Christ. But rest assured The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men then and now.

The Lion is regal with majestic wings represents Babylon from 605-539 B.C. Nebuchadnezzar-is the lion with eagles wings plucked off to humble him. When he looked up and recognized Daniel’s God, he was allowed to stand erect and was restored with the mind of a man.

The Bear is both the Medes and the Persian kingdom ruling from 539-330 B.C. The Persian is the strongest and their reign lasts longer.
Each animal is mighty, but dominates its prey in a different way. (Strauss)
“The lion devours, the bear crushes, and the leopard springs upon its prey.”

The leopard represents the Greek Empire. Alexander the Great quickly conquered the civilized world by age 28. He died young at age 32.

(Clarke) "Nothing in the history of the world, was equal to the conquests of Alexander, who ran through all the countries from Illyricum and the Adriatic Sea to the Indian Ocean and the River Ganges; and in 12 years subdued part of Europe, and all Asia."

After his death his empire was divided into four parts (four heads) representing, his four generals, who inherited Alexander’s domain after his death.
The fourth beast represents the Roman Empire, which was the largest, strongest, most unified and enduring of them all.
 “There is an unmistakable correspondence between these horns and the ten toes of the dream image (ch. 2), and the mention of iron in the teeth suggests the legs and toes of iron in that image.” (Archer)

Each horn of the fourth beast represents a future king and kingdom. All ten horns are present at once; therefore, they are a ten-kingdom confederacy. Some understand there are two distinct and separate 10 nation alliances being referred to in these scriptures. Prophetically, the time of the fourth beast is not completed. The ten horns may not be the same as the ten toes of Daniel 2:41 and ten horns of Revelation 13:1:

Ladies praise God we don’t have to understand everything in Daniel and Revelation. We know who hold the future and The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men
Daniel repeats “I kept looking,” literally (“I was looking” or “I was watching”) an Aramaic phrase 10 times in this chapter, indicating continuation of action. This Daniel’s attention was deeply fixed on the four great beasts and the one like a son of man, coming in the clouds.

God’s Heavenly Kingdom-ANCIENT OF DAYS  We will leave the evil beasts for awhile and focus on God and Jesus our Savior from the coming Tribulation.

Ancient of Days is only used 3 times in scripture referring to God: Daniel 7:9, 13, 22
9"As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. This phrase is obviously referring to God; the white garments and white hair stress the eternal character of God the Father.
Isaiah 66:15-16 describe the judgment of God in terms of fireFor behold, the LORD will come with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For by fire and by His sword the LORD will judge all flesh; and the slain of the LORD shall be many.
The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men


The wheels of fire could represent continuation of His Kingdom. In verse 10 God is holding court surrounded by angels and those to be judged. The books were opened.

The Bible describes several books before God.
· The book of the living (Psalm 69:28)
· The book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16)
· The Book of Life (Philippians 4:3, Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27 and 22:19)

Sisters we can be assured that our name is in the Book of Life. Our rescue from the Tribulation is secured when Jesus Christ returns to call His children home. Are you ready?
The Message 26-27 “‘But when the court comes to order, the horn will be stripped of its power and totally destroyed. Then the royal rule and the authority and the glory of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the people of the High God. (not earned but given)Their royal rule will last forever. All other rulers will serve and obey them.’ The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men

Son of Man Our memory verse: 13         "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Hallelujah

Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, identified Christ Jesus as a horn, announcing, “He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:69). In other words, the Messiah is a strong and powerful Savior, who is the King of Israel.” I Gordan

Daniel 7:24-25 covers the Tribulation Period (Revelation 6:1-20:3).
MSG 25 Then he (the beast) will blaspheme the High God, persecute the followers of the High God, and try to get rid of sacred worship and moral practice. God’s holy people will be persecuted by him for a time, two times, half a time. This will be explained more in Daniel 12.

NEVER FEAR CHRIST IS COMING.
Verses 26-27 belong to the very end of the Tribulation when Christ comes as the crushing stone and His kingdom, the mountain, fills the whole earth.
“Horns are emblems of power, dominion, glory, and fierceness, just as they are the chief means of attack and defense for the animals endowed with them. Horns are symbolic of kings and their kingdoms in Scripture.

The Antichrist comes to bring havoc on the earth while Christ comes to restore order to this world. The Son of Man will bring everlasting dominion which will not pass away. We know the end of the book- The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men.

Chapter 8  The Ram and the Goat
Two years later Daniel has another vision. In the ancient manuscripts, the Book of Daniel here resumes using the Hebrew language. The section from Daniel 2:4 to 7:28 was written in Aramaic for the Gentile nations. Starting with the interpretation in v.16 From the conversation we can guess that there is another angel talking:

"Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."
20As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. 21And the goat is the king of Greece.
 The male goat grew very great: The greatness of Alexander's Empire was not only in its vast dominion, but also in its cultural power. Alexander the Great was determined to spread Greek civilization, culture, and language across every land he conquered.
From the human perspective, we think each empire will arise because of war and conquest. In reality, each kingdom exists by the power and authority of heaven.
 As God guided history, He used Alexander's passion to spread Greek culture to prepare the world for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because of Alexander's influence  Greek became the common language of the civilized world - and the language of the New Testament.
The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men
Daniel 8 the Ram and the Goat
Antichrist and Antiochus IV Throughout history people have tried to speculate the identity of the Antichrist: Hitler, Mussolini, even the Pope and other world rulers. I’m believing as long as the church has not been Raptured that he is not here.
23 …a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. 24 His power shall be great—but not by his own power; (Satan) and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. 25 By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand.

Antiochus  Epiphanes is an accurate and dramatic fulfillment of this prophecy in history - so much so that critics insist that the Book of Daniel must have been written after his time.
1 Maccebees 1:10. "And there came out of them a wicked root, Antiochus, and he reigned in 137 year of the kingdom of the Greeks,"

Antiochus IV thought that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, 80,000 were lost, to death or slavery.” (Described in 2 Maccabees 6:1–11)

NO Sabbath, NO Holy Days, and NO Circumcision. A Statue of Zeus was placed in the Temple above the altar. The most detestable animals to Jews (the pig) were brought and sacrificed on the altar. (Abomination of Desolation)
 Jesus taught that this was a preliminary occurrence of a greater fulfillment coming in the last days, during the seventieth week of Daniel.
No matter how bleak The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men

JUDAS THE HAMMER, who was called Maccabeus, took command of a small army in place of his father, Mattathias, and he defeated the army of King Antiochus which was commanded by Lysias. Then Judas and his brothers said, “See, our enemies are crushed; let us go up to cleanse the sanctuary and dedicate it.” So all the army assembled and went up to Mount Zion. The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men
The Jewish festival of Hanukkah celebrates the re-dedication of the Temple following Judah Maccabee's victory over the Seleucids. The victorious Maccabees could only find a small jug of oil that had remained uncontaminated by virtue of a seal, and although it only contained enough oil to sustain the Menorah for one day, it miraculously lasted for eight days, by which time further oil could be procured.

Remember, Satan doesn’t know when Christ’s kingdom will come. He is left to read the signs of the times and coinciding Bible prophecies just as we are. Satan may have potential candidates ready in every generation so that when the time comes, he can inhabit and use his prime choice. I Gordan

The visions that passed through Daniel’s mind deeply troubled his thoughts, and his face turned pale. The Scriptures that make known the wrathful nature of God and His predictions of a turbulent future should deeply frighten and alarm us. Undoubtedly, Daniel was extremely disturbed about what would happen to his own people in the future—how about you? Pray for all the lost ones will suffer during the Tribulation.
Will you choose to believe that The Most High rules in the Kingdom of men?

RESOURCES
The Message
biblehub.com-commentaries Clarke, Barnes, Guzak 
Robert Conway Decoding Daniel online
Warren Wiersbe Be Resolute
David Jeremiah Handwriting on the Wall
jesusplusnothing.com I Gordan

http://jewishencyclopedia.com/